Gad Elbaz
Encyclopedia
Gad Elbaz (born August 20, 1980) is an Israeli haredi singer of Sephardic origin. He is best known by his #1 hit; Halayla Zeh Hazman (Tonight Is The Time), and for being the son of mizrahi
singer Benny Elbaz.
families.
, which sold close to 100,000 copies in Israel alone. His songs feature catchy tunes, appealing to both the observant crowd as well as the non-observant. In 2006, he released another album named Kimat Shaket כמעת שקט, (Almost Quiet). A new disc called Bein HaTipot, (Between The Drops), was released in 2008 and co-produced by Rudy Perez, who has written several songs for Christina Aguilera
. One song already playing on Israeli radio; Olam Shel Yeladim (World For The Children), has become a huge hit.
On August 26, 2008, Elbaz performed at a large concert in Caesarea, Israel at an amphitheatre venue. This concert was recorded and broadcasted by the Israeli music channel Music 24
. Elbaz was also the first haredi singer to perform at Caesarea. He sang songs with Harel Moyal (Sa'eni), Shlomi Shabat
, and Benny Elbaz for classic hits such as Kol Ha'chayalim Chozirim La'bayta (All O
of the Soldiers Are Coming Home). The concert was a major success; and a DVD along with a double CD of the show is now available, which were released in 2009.
His 2009/2010 World Tour included concerts in the United States, France, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada.
singers Lidor Yosefi
, Shlomi Shabat
and rapper Alon De Loco
. His music appeals to non-observant and non-Jewish people as well.
in Orlando, FL. He also performed at Oorah's Girl Zone sleep away camp.
Mizrahi music
Mizrahi music refers to the music integration that combines elements from Europe, the West, and Middle Eastern/North African countries transported to Israel by migrating Jews. It is usually sung in Hebrew, literary Hebrew and Arabic slang...
singer Benny Elbaz.
Early life
Elbaz started his singing career at the age of 13. His first duet was with his Grandfather, Yecheskel; who himself was a renowned Mizrahi singer, when they sang Aba, Otcha Ani Ohev (Father, I Love You). At the age of 7, Gad's family became religiously observant. The first and most famous song written by his father, and sung by the two of them after they became observant, was Lo Kashe Lachzor B'Tshuva (It Isn't Hard To Become Observant). The song was an instant hit, and touched the lives of thousands of non-observant IsraeliHiloni
Hiloni , plural hilonim derived from the Hebrew word hulin, meaning secular or mundane, is the term used in Israel for non-religious Jews.As natives of Israel, hilonim speak Hebrew...
families.
Professional career
As a child, he recorded four records with his father, and later, five more on his own. He was 16 when he put out his first solo effort called (Light at the End of the Tunnel). In 2005, he released MeaningsMeanings (album)
Meanings is an album by Gad Elbaz. The album has sold over 100,000 copies in Israel alone, and many more around the world including the USA....
, which sold close to 100,000 copies in Israel alone. His songs feature catchy tunes, appealing to both the observant crowd as well as the non-observant. In 2006, he released another album named Kimat Shaket כמעת שקט, (Almost Quiet). A new disc called Bein HaTipot, (Between The Drops), was released in 2008 and co-produced by Rudy Perez, who has written several songs for Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
. One song already playing on Israeli radio; Olam Shel Yeladim (World For The Children), has become a huge hit.
On August 26, 2008, Elbaz performed at a large concert in Caesarea, Israel at an amphitheatre venue. This concert was recorded and broadcasted by the Israeli music channel Music 24
Music 24
Music 24 is an Israeli popular music channel which was launched on July 20, 2003 and broadcasts music videos by Israeli musicians. Apart from music videos, the channel has different music-related shows, including interviews with musicians, live performances, music-oriented talk shows and programs...
. Elbaz was also the first haredi singer to perform at Caesarea. He sang songs with Harel Moyal (Sa'eni), Shlomi Shabat
Shlomi Shabat
Shlomi Shabat is a popular Israeli singer, musician, and artist who sings in the oriental Mizrahi style. He comes from a sephardic family that immigrated from Turkey, and sings in Hebrew, Turkish, and Spanish.-Musical career:...
, and Benny Elbaz for classic hits such as Kol Ha'chayalim Chozirim La'bayta (All O
of the Soldiers Are Coming Home). The concert was a major success; and a DVD along with a double CD of the show is now available, which were released in 2009.
His 2009/2010 World Tour included concerts in the United States, France, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada.
Legacy
In an interview with the Jewish Music Insider, Elbaz mentions his intention to keep people's faith alive through his music. His objective is to bring people together and create unity through music. He sings alongside non-observant Israeli musicians such as mizrahi musicMizrahi music
Mizrahi music refers to the music integration that combines elements from Europe, the West, and Middle Eastern/North African countries transported to Israel by migrating Jews. It is usually sung in Hebrew, literary Hebrew and Arabic slang...
singers Lidor Yosefi
Lidor Yosefi
-Biography:Yosef was born Doron Yosef in Ra'anana, Israel. He began his musical career in one of the city's local youth bands. He worked as a keyboardist and composed music for Lior Farhi and Neria Hovev, among others. For his debut album in 1997, he took the name Lidor Yosef, on the advice of his...
, Shlomi Shabat
Shlomi Shabat
Shlomi Shabat is a popular Israeli singer, musician, and artist who sings in the oriental Mizrahi style. He comes from a sephardic family that immigrated from Turkey, and sings in Hebrew, Turkish, and Spanish.-Musical career:...
and rapper Alon De Loco
Alon De Loco
Alon Cohen better known by his stage name Alon de Loco is a leading Israeli hip hop artist with styles in R&B, dancehall and reggaeton. He is also a music producer, a breakdancer, a dance teacher and a DJ...
. His music appeals to non-observant and non-Jewish people as well.
Community work
Elbaz has performed at the Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School; an Orthodox Jewish school in Miami, Florida and at a public high school in Queens, New York. He performed at the Universal Chanukah Concert at Universal CityWalkUniversal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the name given to the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Parks & Resorts. Originating as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, CityWalk serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the...
in Orlando, FL. He also performed at Oorah's Girl Zone sleep away camp.
Albums
- 1999: Honest Roads (in Hebrew לך בדרכים ישרות)
- 2003: Light at the End of the Tunnel (in Hebrew אור בקצה המנהרה)
- 2004: Meanings (both CD and DVD) (in Hebrew משמעויות)
- 2006: Almost Quiet (in Hebrew כמעט שקט)
- 2008: Between the Drops (in Hebrew בין הטיפות)
- ????: Live at Caesarea (2 CDs)
Singles
- 1998: "Aba, Otcha Ani Ohev" (meaning Father I Love You) (at 4-years old, with his father Benny Elbaz)
- 2004: "Halayla Zeh Hazman" (meaning Tonight is the Night) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AU-_HXhoPU (In Hebrew הלילה זה הזמן) - featuring Alon De LocoAlon De LocoAlon Cohen better known by his stage name Alon de Loco is a leading Israeli hip hop artist with styles in R&B, dancehall and reggaeton. He is also a music producer, a breakdancer, a dance teacher and a DJ...
(in Hebrew אלון דה לוקו) - 2005: "Or" (meaning Light) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TDYXu_izE (In Hebrew אור) - (Alon De Loco (in Hebrew אלון דה לוקו) featuring Gad Elbaz
- 2008: "Mizmor Ledavid" (in Hebrew מזמור לדוד )
- 2010: "Just a Prayer Away" (originally in English)